MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

AUGUST 17, 2023

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:34pm by Board President Olin G. Parker. The following board members were present:Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Leila Jacobs Eames and Nolan Marshall, Jr. Dr. Donaldo Batiste was absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

-Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Parker.

 

1.3 Rules for Public Comment

Board Counsel provided a high-level overview of the OPSB guidelines for public comment/participation at OPSB Meetings.

 

1.4 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended adding the following:  

·        Action Item 5.4 – Resolution 18-23 Regarding Violence Interruption

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Ashley  

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin to adopt the minutes of the July 27, 2023 Board Business Meeting and the July 28, 2023 Board Retreat as presented. (waiving the reading).

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent's Remarks

Dr. Williams highlighted welcome back to school visits and activities; launch of the Mental Minute; reported on LEAP Data; announced the Joyful Educator Collaborative; and engaged those present in a mental minute activity.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·                  Board members commended Dr. Williams and the staff on the details and specifics presented with respect to LEAP data and acknowledged the efforts of teachers.

·                  Mr. Zervigon questioned the efficacy of LEAP testing and its use as a measure of academic performance.

·                  Mr. Marshall requested further reporting relative to African Americans, specifically with regard to socioeconomic status.

·                  President Parker requested additional reporting reflecting comparisons within the context of the Poverty Index.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin to modify the agenda removing the following items from the Consent Agenda and placing them as Action Items:

 

o   4.1 CEA with City of New Orleans and Communities in Schools for Truancy Support

o   4.2 Approval of the Revised Charter School Accountability Framework(CSAF)

o   4.3 New Policy H H, Student Safety and Well-Being

o   4.11 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0078 for Specialized Programming For Students with Autism

 

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Dr. Batiste

·        Abstain: None

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.4 through 4.10 and 4.12 through 4.15 as presented in globo.

 

4.4 Request to Approve Louisiana State Contract Purchase for Updated SIS Integration

 

4.5 Request to Approve Louisiana State Contract Purchase for New Registration Portal

 

4.6 Request for Award Q23-FAC-12 for Auditorium HVAC Replacement @ Gentilly Terrace School

 

4.7 Amendment #1 to Contract with Williams Architects for Architectural Services for Building Repairs from Water Infiltration at Homer Plessy Elementary School

 

4.8 Request to Approve Capital Improvement Fund Awardees

 

4.9 Final Renewal of Contract with Second Harvest for Warehouse Storage and Delivery of USDA Commodity Goods

 

4.10 Request to Award ITB 23- FAC-0056 Lease for Public Land: 1700 Pratt Drive

 

4.12 Request to Approve List of Qualified Engineering Firms Per RFQ No. 24-0005 for Engineering Consultant Services

 

4.13 Request to Award RFP No. 24-0023 for Mental Health Providers For Students Who Are English Learners

 

4.14 First Renewals of Contracts with Occupational Therapy Services Providers

 

4.15 First Renewals of Contracts with Independent Contractors to Provide Physical Therapy Services

 

·        Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Eames

·        Abstain: None

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

Action Item 5.1 Resolution 15-23 re: FY 2023-2024 Consolidated Operating Budget Amendment No. 1

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 15-23 authorizing the first amendment to the Consolidated Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024.

 

·        Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Eames (waiving the reading)

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Results of Roll Call Vote:

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

 

Action Item 5.2 Resolution 16-23 re: High School Voter Registration

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 16-23 encouraging schools under the jurisdiction of the Orleans Parish School Board to make voter registration and voter education opportunities available to students.

 

 

PUBLIC comment:

·        Shawon Bernard spoke in support of this item and expressed gratitude for the board’s support.

·        Ms. Wanda Romain spoke in support of this item and expressed the need for civics education.

 

BOARD comment:

·        Mr. Parker and Ms. Eames indicated their prior participation in voter registration activities with local schools.

·        Mr. Marshall  commended Shawon Bernard’s efforts.

 

Action Item 5.3 Resolution 17-23 - Authorizing Resolution for Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) adopt the resolution authorizing the issuance of Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2023, of the OPSB, State of Louisiana in a principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000 in order to provide for noncapital contractual obligations and for stabilized cash flows to charter schools; making application to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority for such borrowing; and providing for other matters with respect to the forgoing.

 

 

Action Item 5.4 – Resolution 18-23 Re Violence Interruption

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 18-23 regarding violence interruption.

 

·        Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Eames (waiving the reading)

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Results of Roll Call Vote:

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Dr. Batiste

·        Abstain: None

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        President Parker provided an explanation as to the addition of this item to the agenda and context related to violence interruption services, programs, and activities in the city.  

 

Action Item 4.1 CEA with City of New Orleans and Communities in Schools for Truancy Support

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the City of New Orleans and Communities in Schools (CIS) to provide personnel support for students who are at-risk of chronic absenteeism or chronically absent.

 

·        Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Dr. Batiste

·        Abstain: None

 

PUBLIC comment:

·        Sarah Vandergriff Kelley, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, spoke in support of this item acknowledging the efforts of Asya Howlette, director, Office of Youth and Families.

 

-President Parker exercised a point of personal privilege to acknowledge Ms. Howlette, who was seated in the audience.

 

Action Item 4.2 Approval of the Revised Charter School Accountability Framework (CSAF)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the revised Charter School Accountability Framework (CSAF).

 

·        Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Dr. Batiste

·        Abstain: None

 

PUBLIC comment:

·        Sarah Vandergriff Kelley, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, spoke in support of this item and commended Rafael Simmons.

·        Mr. Justin McCorkle, with Youth Force NOLA, spoke in support of this item and acknowledged efforts of OPSB and NOLA-PS administration in this regard.

·        Holly Reid, New Schools for New Orleans, spoke in support of this item.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        President Parker acknowledged Dr. Williams for her leadership with regard to the CSAF and commended Mr. Simmons’ efforts.

 

Action Item 4.3 New Policy HH, Student Safety and Well-Being

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves New Policy HH, Student Safety and Well-Being.

 

·        Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Parker  

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Dr. Batiste

·        Abstain: None

 

PUBLIC comment:

·        Sarah Vandergriff Kelley, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, acknowledged OPSB’s leadership efforts in this regard and expressed concern for local partners’ response to student safety issues.

·        Terra Boyd, STEP UP Louisiana, expressed concern for the bus transportation of students during extreme heat.

·        Tiffany Myles submitted a comment card but did not speak when called upon.

·        Janet M. Marts, STEP UP Louisiana, also a nurse, expressed concern for students being transported on buses during periods of heat and exhibiting signs of dehydration.

·        Nadiyah A. Muhammad, STEP UP Louisiana, expressed concern for young children and the health implications during this period of extreme heat.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        Mr. Marshall noted his efforts, along with those of Ms. Baudouin, encouraging the replacement and modernization of buses through federal grant opportunities; he further noted the possibility of schools providing hydration for students prior to students’ departure from school.

·        President Parker indicated he would follow-up with Dr. Jennifer Avegno, director, New Orleans Department of Health, for further guidance in addressing heat related issues; he commended Mr. Marshall and Ms. Baudouin for their efforts and advocacy related to transportation issues; noted the possibility of a later start date for school, and encouraged contact with schools directly and board members regarding this issue.

 

Action Item 4.11 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0078 for Specialized Programming For Students with Autism

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Specialized Programming For Students with Autism from the Center for Resilience in an amount not to exceed $650,000.00 for one (1) year with an option to renew for two (2) additional one (1) year periods at amount not to exceed $350,0000 each of those extension years and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

PUBLIC comment:

·        Ms. Wanda Romain spoke in support of services for students with autism and inquired about how the programming would be implemented and administered.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        Mr. Marshall commended those involved with programming efforts provided by this item.

·        Mr. Parker acknowledged the presence of Alex Gray, chief executive officer, Center for Resilience, who was seated in the audience.

·        Ms. Baudouin noted the beneficial information contained in this item.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

6.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Ashley to adjourn the meeting.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:45pm.